Food poisoning is in the news again, and once again the culprit is
animal-derived contamination. According to official reports, this
outbreak has sickened about 329 people from 41 states; but we suspect
that it’s much higher because most cases of so-called “stomach flu”
are not reported.

Salmonella-contaminated jars of Peter Pan and Great Value
(distributed by Wal-Mart) brands of peanut butter, made by ConAgra Foods
Inc. in Sylvester, Georgia, have been recalled. A news report stated
that government and industry officials believe the contamination may
have been caused by dirty jars or equipment. The CDC has identified the
strain of bacteria as Salmonella Tennessee, one of many strains of
salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella, which is found in poultry, eggs, milk, and meat,
originates in the feces of birds and other animals. In the United
States, this type of bacteria sickens thousands of people annually and
kills about 600. The only other known salmonella outbreak involving
peanut butter occurred in Australia during the mid-1990s and was
attributed to unsanitary plant conditions.

"Joyful Curmudgeon"
An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful. At the
same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the
world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true
peace and compassion.